Re: Looking for VARA FM Nodes in Northern Maine
Hi Greg,
Thank you as well for the words of encouragement ?
I will take what everyone says on board and work on getting things sorted out.
73 de WW1ZRD
Jacques
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First, you are already a REAL Ham. Don't let anyone take away your accomplishments, especially yourself.
If you can reach those packet stations, and even if you can't, befriend the station owners and talk them into spinning up VARA FM into their RMS. It's pretty simple to do.
You can can even join in the fun by setting up your own relay station, there may be other Jacques out there wanting to do the same thing. Even with your equipment listed you could still benefit the community (invest in an antenna system next, there's plenty
of inexpensive/home brew options).
Greg - KD2MIC
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Re: Looking for VARA FM Nodes in Northern Maine
Hi Bill,
Awwww shucks. ? LOL
I am in the process of putting up a LoRA/MESHTASTIC Router_Client (equivalent of a repeater), as apparently in my neck of the woods, there is a whole lot of NOTHING going on outside of a few local 2M repeaters. I have a node in my house, my car, and now that
spring is here, I am looking for a good location for the router/client.
While getting Meshtastic started, I would also love to get an AREDN node (there aren't any up here either), as well as set up an APRS Digipeater (I don't think there are any up here either). Pushing the envelope on APRS, I am also interested in the new CAT
protocol, ( ?) which would eventually be a replacement for APRS.
Thank you for the words of encouragement, ? I sincerely appreciate it. I will keep forging ahead, most importantly thought I want to get to General so I can enjoy HF.
73 de WW1ZRD
Jacques
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Jacques,
You ARE a Ham Operator.? You are progressing along the same lines as thousands of other who began this journey in what little time they had in their daily busy lives and learned and experimented with other modes and radios into all the different directions
and disciplines that our hobby/way of life contains.? You should commend yourself for having studied and passed that 1st exam.? Thats more than many people will accomplish.? Now you have your ticket yo learn.? Have fun with it.
Look at you,? already pushing the boundaries of what you know and your "comfort zone"? taking a chance to reach out to the community for info and assistance in an unfamiliar area.
Be patient (especially with yourself) and continue to learn and experiment.? You will find that it doesn't take much to make huge strides and accomplish your goals.
Best wishes to you and yours.
Bill, NB8M
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Re: Suggested frequencies for 2300 Hz use on HF
Tom,
You might want to think of other bands as well. While we are enjoying the good sunspot cycle, 10 meters has a lot of space for this type of thing, 28.111 might work for 10 meters. And also 40 meters would have some space. For 12, 17, and 30 it might be best to avoid that. There was some earlier discussion of interest for 60 meters but nothing became of it.
I would say that once you make the link, ask if the partner is capable of wide. If so, then QSY from there.
Doug / N3JXB
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Re: Looking for VARA FM Nodes in Northern Maine
Jacques,
You ARE a Ham Operator.? You are progressing along the same lines as thousands of other who began this journey in what little time they had in their daily busy lives and learned and experimented with other modes and radios into all the different directions and disciplines that our hobby/way of life contains.? You should commend yourself for having studied and passed that 1st exam.? Thats more than many people will accomplish.? Now you have your ticket yo learn.? Have fun with it.
Look at you,? already pushing the boundaries of what you know and your "comfort zone"? taking a chance to reach out to the community for info and assistance in an unfamiliar area.
Be patient (especially with yourself) and continue to learn and experiment.? You will find that it doesn't take much to make huge strides and accomplish your goals.
Best wishes to you and yours.
Bill, NB8M
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Re: Looking for VARA FM Nodes in Northern Maine
First, you are already a REAL Ham. Don't let anyone take away your accomplishments, especially yourself.
If you can reach those packet stations, and even if you can't, befriend the station owners and talk them into spinning up VARA FM into their RMS. It's pretty simple to do.
You can can even join in the fun by setting up your own relay station, there may be other Jacques out there wanting to do the same thing. Even with your equipment listed you could still benefit the community (invest in an antenna system next, there's plenty of inexpensive/home brew options).
Greg - KD2MIC
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Re: Suggested frequencies for 2300 Hz use on HF
I would recommend staying above 20M (17 & up). Less congestion thereby lowering your probability of creating QRM. Let pskreporter.info be your guide.? 73 Chuck N7CHS
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On Apr 23, 2024, at 8:09?AM, Jean Létourneau <ve2pkt@...> wrote: ? ? ?Is any of you heard word of a VARA Modem Linux compatible in a near futur?
IMHO, don’t hold your breath for a native Linux version.
HOWEVER, I’m running it on WINE here on an Ubuntu system, along with Winlink Express and VarAC. Runs great. I’ve eradicated windows from my shack 100%.
I also have it running with WINE + Box86 on a 32-bit Raspberry Pi OS Pi5. It works well there, but isn’t quite as stable as the Ubuntu system. And, of course, the Pi5 isn’t as fast as the AMD-based mini PC, but it’s tiny and only draws a couple of Watts, making it an excellent choice for mobile operating.
Cheers,
Ken van Wyk Armata Scientia
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GM,
???? Is any of you heard word of a VARA Modem Linux compatible in a near futur?
73 de Jean
VA2OM / VE2PKT
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Re: Looking for VARA FM Nodes in Northern Maine
Hi Peter,
Actually there is nothing "ugly" or even incorrect in your English. ? LOL.
My time situation is quite bleak for the immediate future, however I have live changing plans for next year, find another care home for the individual who lives with us, sell our house, pay off all debt, buy an acre or two of land, either with a small single
level home on it, or put a cabin on it, or even a 40ft travel trailer on it.
Then I would have the time I want to enjoy Amateur Radio, because it would just be my wife and I, and no other commitments.
Thank you all for listening to my tale of woe, LOL, and thank you Peter for taking the time to look at my communication options.
When I get the time I need, I will definitely upgrade to General Class, open up HF, and be a "real" HAM. Right now I guess I am a kinda/sorta getting there/working on it Technician License. Haha.
73
WW1ZRD - Jacques
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Hi Jacques and others,
Sorry to hear that you have not more time for this hobby.
I see that there are 9 Packet STNs in Maine.
It is possible to run Packet AND VARA-FM on the same TRX and freq. (but not the same time) !
It should be a challange for those 9 STNs to program VARA-FM in their RMS.
This program costs noting to add.
And I thougt that a RMS do not need a license to get the max speed.
VARA-FM is more sensitive and effectiv.
A 100k file with Packet takes 20 minutes and with VARA-FM , with good S/N and license, 2 minutes.
So with EmmCom you could pass more messages or with less power consumption.
I run on one W7 notebook VHF Packet AND VARA-FM, with UHF Packet
AND VARA-FM and VARA-HF in case of emergency (local regulations).
'73 and Good luck
Peter , PE1DCD
NB.? Sorry for my ugly English
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Re: Looking for VARA FM Nodes in Northern Maine
Hi Jacques and others,
Sorry to hear that you have not more time for this hobby.
I see that there are 9 Packet STNs in Maine.
It is possible to run Packet AND VARA-FM on the same TRX and freq. (but not the same time) !
It should be a challange for those 9 STNs to program VARA-FM in their RMS.
This program costs noting to add.
And I thougt that a RMS do not need a license to get the max speed.
VARA-FM is more sensitive and effectiv.
A 100k file with Packet takes 20 minutes and with VARA-FM , with good S/N and license, 2 minutes.
So with EmmCom you could pass more messages or with less power consumption.
I run on one W7 notebook VHF Packet AND VARA-FM, with UHF Packet AND VARA-FM and VARA-HF in case of emergency (local regulations).
'73 and Good luck
Peter , PE1DCD
NB.? Sorry for my ugly English
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Suggested frequencies for 2300 Hz use on HF
I have the paid version of the VARA modem so as to be able to do the wide 2300 Hz bandwidth for use on occasions when propagation is very good for VarAC file transfers.? I know that it is not a good thing to do this bandwidth while inside the "Slot" system of 750 Hz bandwidth as this will adversely affect other users.? I have been slammed myself by somebody clogging up several slots with carriers.? My mentor on VarAC and the VARA modem suggested a frequency of 14.111 for 20 M use of 2300 mode.? I was wondering if there were other suggested frequencies for 20 M and other bands that would fit in existing band plans and avoid conflicts.
73, Tom, N5HYP
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Re: Looking for VARA FM Nodes in Northern Maine
Hi Jeff,
Unfortunately I have severe time constraints, My XYL has MS, and I am taking care of her, plus I am caring for an intellectually handicapped individual 24/7 who lives at home with us, so I don't currently have time to study for general yet, and my funds...
well I haven't left the Baofeng / Yaesu FT4 neighborhood yet if you know what I mean.
I just wanted to get Winlink operational via VARA FM. ?
73
WW1ZRD
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Getting the General Class license would greatly expand your bands and would open up NVIS (and DX) range stations.? Are you running a node?? We're looking to expand the existing RF-linked network; Maine would be great:?
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Re: Looking for VARA FM Nodes in Northern Maine
Getting the General Class license would greatly expand your bands and would open up NVIS (and DX) range stations.? Are you running a node?? We're looking to expand the existing RF-linked network; Maine would be great:?
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Re: Looking for VARA FM Nodes in Northern Maine
You can still use 10 meters in the data portion of the band as a Tech, but still you would need an HF radio.
Another option is to upgrade to General or Extra and then use HF. NVIS would be good for states surrounding Maine.
73
John Denison
KD5YOU
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Re: Looking for VARA FM Nodes in Northern Maine
You might ask if there are any vara fm users close to you and try peer to peer operation. We have done that in our area.
?
73
W9NMM
?
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From: [email protected] <[email protected]>
On Behalf Of ww1zrd via groups.io
Sent: Monday, April 22, 2024 11:54 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: [VARA-MODEM] Looking for VARA FM Nodes in Northern Maine
?
I am unable to find ANY Vara FM nodes in the state of Maine, let alone my grid square FN57ti.
I just licensed my VARA FM without actually trying it first... smart huh? Vara FM says there aren't ANY nodes within 185 miles of my grid square.
I concated VARA and it was suggested to me to post here and ask if anyone knows of any I am not aware of. I can't use HF as I am only a Technician license, and I don't have HF equipment at this time.
Thank you all in advance for your guidance.
73 de WW1ZRD
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Re: Looking for VARA FM Nodes in Northern Maine
Your right but there are packet gateways, not sure if they are near you or not. Packet works well with winlink via sound modem instead of varafm. Check it out?
On Mon, Apr 22, 2024 at 3:20 p.m., ww1zrd@... <ww1zrd@...> wrote: I am unable to find ANY Vara FM nodes in the state of Maine, let alone my grid square FN57ti.
I just licensed my VARA FM without actually trying it first... smart huh? Vara FM says there aren't ANY nodes within 185 miles of my grid square.
I concated VARA and it was suggested to me to post here and ask if anyone knows of any I am not aware of. I can't use HF as I am only a Technician license, and I don't have HF equipment at this time.
Thank you all in advance for your guidance.
73 de WW1ZRD
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Re: Looking for VARA FM Nodes in Northern Maine
If your looking for just plain Jane VARA FM station to station simplex contacts, you'll have to interest other locals to participate. If you're looking for VARA FM Winlink operations, yeah, pretty well nonexistent in your neck of the woods. Examine this current mapping of such activity where you're at. 
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Looking for VARA FM Nodes in Northern Maine
I am unable to find ANY Vara FM nodes in the state of Maine, let alone my grid square FN57ti.
I just licensed my VARA FM without actually trying it first... smart huh? Vara FM says there aren't ANY nodes within 185 miles of my grid square.
I concated VARA and it was suggested to me to post here and ask if anyone knows of any I am not aware of. I can't use HF as I am only a Technician license, and I don't have HF equipment at this time.
Thank you all in advance for your guidance.
73 de WW1ZRD
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Re: Vara not connecting to TCP Port 8300
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On Apr 21, 2024, at 9:27?PM, bobmary37 via groups.io <bobmary37@...> wrote:
?On the vara HF log I keep getting Warning: vara is not connected to any App via TCP Port 8300. What am I missing. I have an Icom 7610 and have never had so much trouble working with Winlink. I hope somebody can get me going again. Thanks.73.
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Vara not connecting to TCP Port 8300
On the vara HF log I keep getting Warning: vara is not connected to any App via TCP Port 8300. What am I missing. I have an Icom 7610 and have never had so much trouble working with Winlink. I hope somebody can get me going again. Thanks.73.
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Bill Erwin (NB8M)
Jeff KP3FT
NOEL MORTIER W9NMM
RobVE3GGR
Rodney Brown